Leadership Wkshops, Seminars, Mini-Retreats, Coaching & more!
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Set your dates for 2024
Pastor Terry is scheduling dates for Sermons, Workshops and Consultatiions.
Leading a congregation in the Post-Covid era is challenging. Fatigue and changing circumstances have stressed resources and lay leadership to the breaking point. We’re here to help you renew and respond to the 21st Century social landscape.
Pastor Terry is available as a consultant in Small Groups, Centering/Contemplative Prayer and Church Administration. In addition, he has great experience in Clergy Leadership Coaching and Spiritual Direction.
And Remember, all trainings, workshops and consultations are on a donation basis. No expected fees involved.
Currently our preaching schedule includes:
Sunday, Jan. 7: First United Methodist Church of Thousand Oaks @ 10 am.
You are welcome to join us in person or online!
BIO
The Rev. Dr. W. “Terry” Van Hook has been in the United Methodist Ministry for 46 years when he retired in 2019.
At that time he and his wife Joanne organized the Agapé Journeys Ministry to consult with and empower local churches in Spiritual Vitality and Church growth.
They have been providing workshops on Small Groups, Church in the Post-Covid/21st Century, and Centering prayer among others.
Over the recent four years Pastor Terry has been preaching at a number of UMC churches both online and in person.
During his ministry he served churches in Cucamonga, Bellflower, Laguna Niguel, Culver City, San Diego and Fullerton before retiring after 10 years of serving the Lancaster UMC.
He and his wife of 43 years, Joanne, have two adult children: Jason and Rebekah, one Daughter in law: Shannon, and two wonderful granddaughters: Lily and Sophia.
Post-Pandemic & Social Change Reflections: Loss, Loneliness
We are in the midst of a wave of change that disorients and depresses us.
Grief has become our shared experience and anxiety grows.
Yet in the midst of our turmoil, we know that God is with us.
We no longer need to feel alone in our grief.
"The Good News (the Gospel) is this:
God's heavenly realm is as close as our heartbeat.
Turn and hear the message of God's love.
We can experience Heaven on Earth today."
Exploring Spiritual Growth in Local Churches
Local Church Seminars, Workshops & Classes on Prayer, Sm Groups, Visioning, & other Leadership topics.
Local and Online Retreats, Retreats at nearby Retreat Centers, Pilgrimage Travel, Adult Mission Trips and more
Local and Online Retreats, Retreats at nearby Retreat Centers, Pilgrimage Travel, Adult Mission Trips and more
Local and Online Retreats, Retreats at nearby Retreat Centers, Pilgrimage Travel, Adult Mission Trips and more
Local and Online Retreats, Retreats at nearby Retreat Centers, Pilgrimage Travel, Adult Mission Trips and more
Local and Online Retreats, Retreats at nearby Retreat Centers, Pilgrimage Travel, Adult Mission Trips and more
Personal Coaching, Spiritual Dir., Team Coaching, Plus "Finding My True Self" with the Enneagram
Local and Online Retreats, Retreats at nearby Retreat Centers, Pilgrimage Travel, Adult Mission Trips and more
Personal Coaching, Spiritual Dir., Team Coaching, Plus "Finding My True Self" with the Enneagram
What is the "Gospel"? What would you say?
Jesus proclaimed the "Gospel" / the Good News of God...
Mark writes: "...Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying,
'The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near;
repent, and believe in the good news.'" (Mark 1:14-15)
"Jesus began to proclaim, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.'" (Matt 4:17)
"'The Spirit of the Lord is upon, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.' ...
...'Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.'" (Luke 4:18-19, 21)
"But to all who received him, who believed in his name,
he gave power to become children of God..." (John 1:12)
While repentance is important, (and often the focus these scriptures), what's even more important
is that the kin(g)dom/realm of God/Heaven has come near and is fully realized in the Resurrection.
We continually call ourselves to account by asking:
"Are we, as christians, followers of Christ, children of God
truly living out the unconditional, grace-filled gift of being 'citizens of heaven?'" (Phil 3:20)
Joanne and I are committed to exploring this "heaven on Earth" gift
with individuals and local churches through prayer, spiritual disciplines,
leadership trainings, retreats and personal coaching.
We are both looking forward to an everlasting , unconditional love with God in the heaven to come,
as well as actively participating in a graceful forgiveness and reconciliation
with all around us right now.
This current engagement with God's presence, this eternal living right now,
is filled with and guided by God's Holy Spirit,
as we radically serve God's will, righteousness, peace and justice.
